‘The Flash’: 6 Possible Directors for the Movie

The Flash movie is still on the hunt for a new director, following the recent departure of Rick Famuyiwa. Warner Bros. has had a difficult time hanging on to a helmer for the film, with Seth Grahame-Smith also previously exiting the project. While the studio’s search continues, several names have been thrown around as possible replacements for Famuyiwa. Here are six possible directorial contenders to take over the Scarlet Speedster’s solo flick:

1. F. Gary Gray

Director F. Gary Gray | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

The director earned critical acclaim in 2015 for the biographical film, Straight Outta Compton. He then made the leap to a major franchise with Fast 8, which is due out next year. His new franchise experience, coupled with his varied background in action (The Italian Job), humor (Friday), and drama (Straight Outta Compton), could make him a great candidate for The Flash movie.

Plus, he wouldn’t be the only filmmaker to transition from the Fast & Furious films to a DC Comics movie. James Wan helmed Furious 7 before signing on to take on Aquaman.

2. Edgar Wright

Edgar Wright | Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Wright has a long history in superhero movies, although it hasn’t exactly been entirely positive. The director helped Marvel develop Ant-Man for years before eventually departing the project over creative differences in 2014.

Though that experience may have left him a bit gun-shy about taking on another comics-inspired project, The Flash film — which is expected to boast a fun and humorous tone, similar to Ant-Man’s — would be a great match for him (even if it is likely a long shot).

3. Drew Goddard

Drew Goddard | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Though Goddard has come close to overseeing his own comic book-based projects before, it’s never quite worked out. He was supposed to serve as showrunner for the first season of Daredevil, but ended up leaving the Marvel series. He also previously signed on to direct Sinister Six, but Sony scrapped the film after deciding to do away with The Amazing Spider-Man and introduce a new Peter Parker.

While those projects didn’t pan out, there’s a reason that Goddard continues to be involved in the genre. His background in sci-fi (Lost, The Martian) and action (Daredevil) would be a huge asset in directing a superhero flick like The Flash.

4. Lexi Alexander

Lexi Alexander | Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Alexander has history in the DC Comic world, having previously helmed episodes of The CW’s Arrow and Supergirl. She also has a background in big-screen action films, with her past work including 2008’s Punisher: War Zone.

Her experience once made her a rumored directorial contender for Wonder Woman and though she didn’t land that gig, it could make her a solid choice for The Flash‘s solo flick.

5. Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith | Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Smith is a diehard fan of the superhero genre. Case in point? He’s written issues of Daredevil and Green Arrow, named his daughter after DC’s Harley Quinn, and most recently, helmed several episodes of The CW’s The Flash and Supergirl. His extensive knowledge and appreciation for the material has long made him a fan pick to take on a superhero movie, but the opportunity has never arisen.

Could The Flash finally be his chance? Though Smith recently expressed interest in helming the project, he also admitted that his own top pick for the job is someone like Tim Miller. Speaking of which …

6. Tim Miller

After working for years to bring the character to screen, Miller made his feature film directorial debut with Deadpool — and as we all know by now, he pretty much hit it out of the park. The movie, which was made on only a $58 million budget, became a bonafide hit at the box office and earned praise from both critics and audiences alike. Though he was initially set to return to the director’s chair for Deadpool 2, he recently departed the sequel over creative differences.

Given the new availability in his schedule and his background in humor-driven comic book films, Miller would be a strong choice to take over The Flash movie — just as Smith suggested.